Filing for fall election season continues through Friday

The fall campaign season may seem like a distant event, but candidates will be filing their intentions this week.

It’s official filing week, meaning candidates have until the close of office hours Friday to get their names on the ballot. It’s the first step in a campaign process that includes an Aug. 7 primary and a Nov. 6 general election.

There’s little to be decided at the hometown level, but that doesn’t mean area voters won’t have races to decide. Here’s a look at some of special interest.

• All three seats in the 31st Legislative District will be on the fall ballots. Up for grabs are the four-year post in the Washington State Senate and both two-year terms in the House of Representatives. Incumbents are Phil Fortunato in the Senate and Drew Stokesbary and Morgan Irwin in the House.

The 31st District takes in Enumclaw, Buckley, Bonney Lake, Sumner and nearby areas.

• In Pierce County, the District 1 seat will be on the fall ballot. The race has local interest because the district includes the eastern end of the county, including Bonney Lake, Buckley and Lake Tapps, as well as Crystal Mountain and Greenwater. The seat is now occupied by Dan Roach.

Also to be decided by all Pierce County voters will be races for auditor and prosecuting attorney.

• Local voters also will be asked to help decide who represents the region in Washington, D.C. On the ballot are the U.S. Senate seat now held by Maria Cantwell and the 8th Congressional District seat being vacated by Dave Reichert.